U.S. steps up covert war in Yemen as conflict leaves government clinging to power

The Obama administration has intensified the covert U.S. war in Yemen, hitting militant suspects with armed drones and fighter jets.

The accelerated campaign has occurred in recent weeks as violent conflict in Yemen has left the government in Sana'a struggling to cling to power.

A report in the New York Times said Yemeni troops that had been battling militants linked to al Qaeda in the south have been pulled back to the capital.

Spiralling violence: Armed Yemeni opposition tribesmen patrol a street in Taiz following clashes with government troops

Uncertain future: America's covert military action in Yemen is being stepped up over fears that government forces, above, may be overwhelmed

American officials hope the strikes will help prevent militants from consolidating power.

A drone strike by U.S. special operations forces on May 5 targeted U.S.-born al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, but a malfunction caused rockets to miss him by a matter of minutes, two U.S. officials said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

Extensive damage: Yemen's capital Sana'a is the battlefield between Government forces and militants. U.S. operations inside the country aim to keep stability

Rag-tag resistance: A Yemeni soldier guards what remains of a government building a skirmishes with heavily armed tribesmen continue

The recent operations come after a
nearly year-long pause in American airstrikes, which were halted amid
concerns that poor intelligence had led to bungled missions and civilian
deaths that were undercutting the goals of the secret campaign.

Officials in Washington told the Times said that U.S. and Saudi spy services had been receiving more information - from electronic eavesdropping and informants - about the possible locations of militants.

Out of the country: Ali Abdullah Saleh is still in Saudi Arabia being treated for injuries sustained in a rocket attack

But, they added, the outbreak of the wider conflict in Yemen created a new risk that one faction might feed information to the Americans that could trigger airstrikes against a rival group.

The U.S. campaign in Yemen is led by the Pentagon's Joint Special Operations Command and is closely coordinated with the CIA.

Because of concern that support for the campaign could wane if Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government were to fall, the U.S. ambassador in Yemen has met recently with leaders of the opposition, partly to make the case for continuing American operations.

Saleh authorised secret American missions in Yemen in 2009 but placed limits on their scope and has said publicly that all military operations have been conducted by his own troops.

Saleh fled the country last week to seek medical treatment in Saudi Arabia after rebel shelling of the presidential compound, and more government troops have been brought back to Sana'a to bolster the government's defense.

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U.S. steps up covert war in Yemen as conflict leaves government clinging to power